Defence experts say that the issue of bias in the tender process for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme does not arise.
This is because although the RMAF is the end user, the final say on which aircraft is ultimately selected, lies with the Malaysian government.
“The RMAF’s role is purely to lay out the technical and operational requirements for the aircraft they need to meet current and projected threats,” a source familiar with defence procurement processes told Twentytwo13.
“They can make their recommendations as to the platform that best suits their needs, but that’s as far as it goes. The final decision lies with the government, which will take into consideration other ‘non-technical’ and ‘non-operational’ factors,” said the source.
“One, is of course, financing. The government would want a deal that offers flexible payment options – with cash and commodities. Another would be geo-political considerations.”
Also crucial are ‘offsets’. This involves the transfer of technology and work-sharing, ostensibly to spur Malaysia’s burgeoning high-technology sector. Two of the more successful examples are the work undertaken by SME Aerospace in building weapons pylons for the BAE Systems’ Hawk advanced trainer and light combat aircraft, and CTRM’s aerostructures work for Airbus Industries’ family of jetliners.
“These are clearly areas that the air force has zero say in. So, how can they be accused of stacking the deck in a particular manufacturer’s favour?”
The source added that the Korean Aerospace Industry’s (KAI) FA-50 seemed to be the crowd favourite because it offers several advantages.
“It already has several export successes. South Korea, the Philippines, Iraq, Thailand, and Indonesia already operate the type. So, the spares and support infrastructure are already established,” said the source.
“Another factor is commonality. The FA-50 is powered by the same engine that is used on the RMAF’s F/A-18D Hornets.”
A defence analyst Twentytwo13 spoke to, said that of the six candidates vying for the contract, only the FA-50 and Italy’s Leonardo, with its M-346, have enjoyed export success.
“Turkey Aerospace Industries’ Hürjet exists only in mock-up form, while China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp’s (Catic) L-15 has only three users – the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and the air force of Zambia.
“India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, is offering the Tejas, which has seen a troubled and protracted development that goes back to the late 80s. The only user right now is the Indian Air Force, and with a small production run.
“I think the only other serious contender is Leonardo’s M-346 advanced trainer. The type is already in service with the Italian Air Force, the Heyl Ha’Avir (Israeli Air Force), the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and Poland, with a number on order by several other nations. The sixth contender, the MiG-35 Fulcrum F, is in service with the Russian Air Force, but only in limited quantities.”
“Again, all the recommendations by the RMAF can be overruled by the government at any point, and for whatever reason,” he added.
It is believed that the FA-50 being offered to the RMAF, is the latest Block 20 version, with air-to-air refuelling capability, via a fixed ‘probe and drogue’ system. The type features a ‘glass’ cockpit, dominated by three primary multi-function displays (MFDs), and a large, collimated Heads-Up Display (HUD) that provides the pilot with all the primary flight information.
The three MFDs can be swapped with a single, large-format integrated display with configurable ‘pages’, similar to the displays in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block III. This would be based on the customer’s preference.
Control is via a side-stick controller on the right side, with full HOTAS, or hands-on-throttle-and-stick capability. The flight control system uses a triplex-redundant digital ‘fly-by-wire’ technology, while the powerplant, a General Electric F-404-102 afterburning turbofan engine, has a Full-Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, which means the pilot can ‘bang’ on the throttle without stalling the engine.
The Block 20 has also been cleared for use with the current generation of precision-guided munitions (PGMs) and the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, giving the type a pinpoint, precision strike capability. The RMAF requirement also calls for beyond-visual-range (BVR),s air-to-air capability.
The contract for the RMAF’s LCA fleet is for a total of 36 aircraft, in two tranches. The first order for 18 aircraft is valued at RM4 billion. Half of the amount, or RM2 billion, is to be paid via counter trade, involving crude palm oil or palm oil products.
Deliveries for the first two jets are expected to be in 2025. The first tranche of 18 airframes should be in Malaysia before 2027.
The tender was announced in August, and the initial closing date of Sept 22 was extended to Oct 6. The winning bidder could be announced as early as late March, or early April, next year.
Main image by Iwan Shafiee / Aircraft Photography
